Cost of Living Comparison Between Belize and Panama 
| Indices Difference |  |
|---|---|
| Cost of Living in Panama is 7.1% lower than in Belize (excluding rent) | |
| Cost of Living Including Rent in Panama is 7.0% higher than in Belize | |
| Rent Prices in Panama are 70.6% higher than in Belize | |
| Restaurant Prices in Panama are 8.5% higher than in Belize | |
| Groceries Prices in Panama are 11.1% lower than in Belize | |
| Local Purchasing Power in Panama is 33.3% lower than in Belize | |
Restaurants | Belize Edit |
Panama Edit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $9.47 | $10.00 | +5.6 % |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $38.50 | $50.00 | +29.9 % |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $7.50 | $7.75 | +3.3 % |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | $2.55 | $2.50 | -2.0 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | $3.97 | $4.00 | +0.7 % |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $4.07 | $3.80 | -6.5 % |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | $1.37 | $1.52 | +10.8 % |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | $1.45 | $1.33 | -8.6 % |
Markets | Belize Edit |
Panama Edit | |
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $3.35 | $1.82 | -45.8 % |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | $1.73 | $2.15 | +24.3 % |
| White Rice (1 lb) | $1.71 | $1.11 | -35.2 % |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $2.90 | $2.59 | -10.9 % |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | $4.74 | $5.36 | +13.3 % |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | $3.81 | $3.00 | -21.2 % |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | $4.48 | $4.51 | +0.6 % |
| Apples (1 lb) | $3.02 | $1.98 | -34.5 % |
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.61 | $0.63 | +3.6 % |
| Oranges (1 lb) | $0.88 | $1.44 | +64.0 % |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $1.76 | $1.47 | -16.3 % |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $1.81 | $1.05 | -41.7 % |
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.22 | $1.27 | +4.2 % |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | $2.56 | $2.14 | -16.5 % |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | $1.36 | $1.62 | +19.8 % |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $15.00 | $10.00 | -33.3 % |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | $2.12 | $1.31 | -38.2 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | $2.75 | $2.21 | -19.5 % |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $5.00 | $6.00 | +20.0 % |
Transportation | Belize Edit |
Panama Edit | |
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $3.98 | $0.50 | -87.4 % |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | $22.41 | $21.00 | -6.3 % |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | $3.72 | $2.50 | -32.9 % |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | $6.39 | $3.00 | -53.1 % |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $5.00 | $22.00 | +340.0 % |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $1.98 | $0.98 | -50.6 % |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | $10,528.06 | $21,262.00 | +102.0 % |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | $21,029.12 | $22,301.85 | +6.1 % |
Utilities (Monthly) | Belize Edit |
Panama Edit | |
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $136.96 | $110.19 | -19.5 % |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $49.73 | $28.09 | -43.5 % |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $55.50 | $46.80 | -15.7 % |
Sports And Leisure | Belize Edit |
Panama Edit | |
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $33.25 | $48.12 | +44.7 % |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | $6.33 | $27.07 | +328.0 % |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | $8.97 | $7.50 | -16.4 % |
Childcare | Belize Edit |
Panama Edit | |
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | $64.52 | $488.89 | +657.8 % |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | $674.20 | $9,020.25 | +1,237.9 % |
Clothing And Shoes | Belize Edit |
Panama Edit | |
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | $49.12 | $47.50 | -3.3 % |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | $32.42 | $40.00 | +23.4 % |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $103.63 | $83.12 | -19.8 % |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | $64.59 | $113.57 | +75.8 % |
Rent Per Month | Belize Edit |
Panama Edit | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $476.87 | $954.42 | +100.1 % |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $491.30 | $741.38 | +50.9 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $1,190.95 | $1,748.21 | +46.8 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $624.50 | $1,305.00 | +109.0 % |
Buy Apartment Price | Belize Edit |
Panama Edit | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | $134.29 | $279.45 | +108.1 % |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | $150.00 | $157.84 | +5.2 % |
Salaries And Financing | Belize Edit |
Panama Edit | |
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $1,160.21 | $828.86 | -28.6 % |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 11.50 | 6.31 | -45.2 % |
| Last update: | 4 May 2026 | 14 May 2026 | |
| Contributors in the past 12 months: | 13 | 75 | |
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